Rebecca Rempel/BC Lions
Long after most of his B.C. Lions teammates had left the practice field on a blistering hot afternoon, Matt Norman remained.
Again and again the B.C. centre practised a shotgun snap to backup quarterback Thomas DeMarco. Two rocketed perfectly into DeMarco’s hands. One went high. Norman straightened up, exchanged a few words with DeMarco, then launched several more snaps.
Later, when he finally walked off the field, third-string quarterback Joey Elliott wrapped his arm around Norman and said something that made the 317-pound native of Chateauguay, Que., break into a laugh.
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In just his second year in the CFL, Norman has found himself pressed into the role of starting centre, a position he didn’t play during his four years as an offensive lineman at the University of Western Ontario. What was originally designed as a gradual process became a sudden changing of gears due to injuries.
“At centre there is a lot going on,” said the 25-year-old. “You always knew as an offensive lineman the centre had a lot to do.
“It’s a different story when you have to step in and actually do it. There are a lot of things on the go, making the calls, getting the ball back there, your own technique. You look at the film, get better, try not to repeat the same mistakes I made.”
Norman isn’t the only cub on the Lions offensive line. Playing beside him at right guard is 22-year-old rookie Kirby Fabien, a first-round draft pick in 2012.
Fabien was a three-time Canada West All-Star playing for the University of Calgary Dinosaurs, but for him the jump to the CFL has been like going from studying math to doing calculus.
“I would probably say 70 per cent of it is mental for me,” said the 295-pound Calgary native. “There are a lot of protections and plays to go through.
“The speed is way more in the CFL. Guys are stronger and bigger. It just takes time to adjust to the game and match everyone’s speed.”
The drama unfolding for the Lions wasn’t the script head coach Mike Benevides had in mind going to training camp.
Veteran Angus Reid, who is playing in his 13th season, was supposed to start at centre and mentor Norman. A back injury resulted in Reid not taking a snap during training camp and put him on the nine-game injured list to start the season.
Fabien came to camp expected to land at least a backup job but has become a starter due to right guard Dean Valli still rehabbing from a knee injury.
Adding to the Lions woes, offensive lineman Adam Baboulas broke his leg on June 5.
Like a dance troupe in their first performance, the offensive line had some missteps during B.C.’s season-opening 44-32 loss to the Calgary Stampeders Friday night.
Norman snapped a ball of the knee of quarterback Travis Lulay, which resulted in a Calgary touchdown. The line also gave up three sacks, all by Charleston Hughes.
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Benevides expected some growing pains as Norman and Fabien become more comfortable with their positions.
“That group needs a lot of work together and a lot of synergy together,” said the second-year head coach. “Last week some of the things that occurred are going to occur in a game.
“It’s one of those things. They will get better every single week. They’ve done a really good job and it’s only get to get better with more playing time together.”
Lulay is confident the line in front of him will improve as the new parts mesh together.
“That’s part of the deal,” said the Lions’ quarterback. “Those guys are keeping their heads above water.
“There are going to be some mistakes. We all make mistakes. The big thing with those guys is to not let the mistakes affect the next play. That’s really the biggest challenge.”
Veteran left tackle Ben Archibald understands what the two young players are experiencing, especially Fabien.
“You have to do things you’ve never done before and never thought about before,” said the two-time CFL outstanding lineman.
“You are going to be asked to do hard things and it’s always going to be a challenge. There is always going to be room for improvement. You can’t let that slow you down or get you down emotionally.”
Norman managed a smile when asked about the attention a bad snap can bring.
“I guess there is a little more focus when you have the ball in your hand,” he said. “Getting it back there is a big thing.
“You have to embrace that kind of pressure. It’s part of the game.”
Fabien said veterans like Archibald, Jovan Olafioye and Patrick Kabongo have offered advice and support.
“There were a few mental busts (last week) but that comes with time,” he said. “I felt good out there. I have good players around me that bring me up.”
Things won’t get any easier for the Lions when they host the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts Thursday night at BC Place Stadium.
Not only are the Argonauts coming off a 39-34 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but volatile defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell will want to show the Lions made a mistake in trading him to Toronto over the winter.
Norman has some experience practicing against Mitchell. He played nine regular season games for the Lions last year before returning to college to finish his teaching degree.
“He’s a big boy,” Norman said. “He will definitely get in your face.
“I am going to watch some game film and get prepared for what he’s going to bring to us.”
For Fabien, it will be a baptism of fire.
“I have seen him in film,” said Fabien. “He’s a load.
“I will just buckle down and play football.”
